Do i need an AMP/DAC?

[Jayvee3492]

I recently bought a Hifiman HE-400i. which i only plan to use at home on my pc. is my motherboard enough to power it? or do i need something extra like an amp/dac? 

 

My motherboard is https://www.asus.com/ph/Motherboards/B85PRO_GAMER/

 

Also, if i were to use it while travelling. please suggest a DAP around $200 that can power my headphones. 

 

Thank you!

[Tassadar638]

Computer should be enough. The impedance is fairly low on those headphones.

That said, if you can hear the differences between good sets of headphones/high quality flac vs mp3 files, you'll hear differences between using an amp/dac combo and not.

[djboy6480]

no you dont "need" one the only question is how loud can they get with your internal dac and if you are comfortable with the sound quality of the internal dac.

[djboy6480]

just try it and see if it works out for you :)

[Jayvee3492]

12 minutes ago, djboy6480 said:

no you dont "need" one the only question is how loud can they get with your internal dac and if you are comfortable with the sound quality of the internal dac.

 

11 minutes ago, djboy6480 said:

just try it and see if it works out for you

regarding sound quality, will it affect anything? or just how loud it can get. 

havent received the he400i yet. so i cant try just yet. 

[2FA]

7 minutes ago, Jayvee3492 said:

 

regarding sound quality, will it affect anything? or just how loud it can get. 

havent received the he400i yet. so i cant try just yet. 

Then how do you know it won't be fine?

 

Of course an external DAC and amp will be better but is it worth the cost if the onboard audio is already plenty loud and clear?

[Jayvee3492]

Just now, DeadEyePsycho said:

Then how do you know it won't be fine?

 

Of course an external DAC and amp will be better but is it worth the cost if the onboard audio is already plenty loud and clear?

I kinda just want to get the best of the headphones.

any suggestions of external dac and amp?

[Mooshi]

"Premium" audio on boards isn't as hyped as it's made out to be. My Fiio E10K sounded better than what the old ROG board had with the retired  2500k. My Schiit Fulla 2 sounds nicer than my Asrock Taichi.

 

You don't *need* a 200 dollar dac/amp combo. If you have $100ish to toss, there are options.

[2FA]

Schiit Fulla 2 is a decent entry 2in1.

 

Schiit stack (aka Magni and Modi) is a bit better but still fairly entry. Pretty neutral in it's sound signature, neither warm nor cold.

[Jayvee3492]

So for now. My motherboard will be okay? ill just buy an amp/dac later on? 

Thank you!

5 minutes ago, Mooshi said:

"Premium" audio on boards isn't as hyped as it's made out to be. My Fiio E10K sounded better than what the old ROG board had with the retired  2500k. My Schiit Fulla 2 sounds nicer than my Asrock Taichi.

 

You don't *need* a 200 dollar dac/amp combo. If you have $100ish to toss, there are options.

What about Audioquest Dragonfly?

 

 

[Mooshi]

3 minutes ago, Jayvee3492 said:

So for now. My motherboard will be okay? ill just buy an amp/dac later on? 

Thank you!

What about Audioquest Dragonfly?

 

 

Haven't had personal experience to say, but reviews seem solid. Same for the Micca Origen+--almost bought it actually lol

 

 

[Spuriae]

Almost anything is technically audible; it all depends on how much you care. Your motherboard should get fairly loud (I think I see an op-amp). However, since they are planars, you'll want more current to get more out of your low end. Probably get a basic desktop amp (maybe Fulla 2, though you might want even more current). Mobile amps won't give off the sort of current you need.

19 minutes ago, Tassadar638 said:

Computer should be enough. The impedance is fairly low on those headphones.

That said, if you can hear the differences between good sets of headphones/high quality flac vs mp3 files, you'll hear differences between using an amp/dac combo and not.

Flac vs high bitrate mp3 is more difficult to differentiate than the difference between sources.

 

Sensitivity is much more important than impedance when telling how loud something will be.

[SniphzR]

I have a he400i too and i tried to use it with my mobo (z170-a), and it was a complete suffering. The bass was cracking and was shit, and the mobo couldnt get the headphones loud enough, so forget to use it with the mobo imo. I used it with and SMSL M3, and is was pretty good but if u r on a lower budget get a fulla 2 instead. If ur budget is tighter, I just bought a Fostex hp-a3 (its a combo too)and its fkn awesome, I doubt u need any better than this.

[Jayvee3492]

2 hours ago, SniphzR said:

I have a he400i too and i tried to use it with my mobo (z170-a), and it was a complete suffering. The bass was cracking and was shit, and the mobo couldnt get the headphones loud enough, so forget to use it with the mobo imo. I used it with and SMSL M3, and is was pretty good but if u r on a lower budget get a fulla 2 instead. If ur budget is tighter, I just bought a Fostex hp-a3 (its a combo too)and its fkn awesome, I doubt u need any better than this.

Hello, do you think a Sony NW-A35 can power up this headphones?

 

also, im from the philippines so there are limited choices on the AMP/DACs. I cant find any distributor of schiit amps/dacs here.

 

HiFiMAN EF2C is this any good? 

there are fiio's here also.

[SniphzR]

22 hours ago, Jayvee3492 said:

Hello, do you think a Sony NW-A35 can power up this headphones?

 

also, im from the philippines so there are limited choices on the AMP/DACs. I cant find any distributor of schiit amps/dacs here.

 

HiFiMAN EF2C is this any good? 

there are fiio's here also.

Havent heard about the Sony. EF2C is said to be pretty bad, so I wouldnt recommend them, however I havent tried it neither. Fiio e10k is very similar to the smsl m3 (which I had) and its pretty much enough to power, also, the e10k has an extra bass button, which you will need I think. (I boost the low frequencys (5-160 5dB) using Equalizer APO), because I like it when there is a lot of bass, and with that program its perfect.

[Jayvee3492]

3 hours ago, SniphzR said:

Havent heard about the Sony. EF2C is said to be pretty bad, so I wouldnt recommend them, however I havent tried it neither. Fiio e10k is very similar to the smsl m3 (which I had) and its pretty much enough to power, also, the e10k has an extra bass button, which you will need I think. (I boost the low frequencys (5-160 5dB) using Equalizer APO), because I like it when there is a lot of bass, and with that program its perfect.

Thank you for your reply. Fiio is available here in the philippines. also the audioquest dragonfly.

 

on this list. what do you think is best. except 3, 6, 7, https://www.technoven.com/best-usb-dac-under-200/

 

 

[SniphzR]

Dont know anything about them, only heard things. The dragonfly is said to be good, but I cant believe that a small thingy like that can produce anything good. The O2/ODAC combo is like a Schiit Stack so its pretty good too. The Micca Origen+ is good too as Ive heard. The E17K is for portable use, but can be good too.

[Jayvee3492]

1 hour ago, SniphzR said:

Dont know anything about them, only heard things. The dragonfly is said to be good, but I cant believe that a small thingy like that can produce anything good. The O2/ODAC combo is like a Schiit Stack so its pretty good too. The Micca Origen+ is good too as Ive heard. The E17K is for portable use, but can be good too.

Thats what i was also thinking about the dragonfly. also,not looking for anything portable. maybe it being portable costs extra money. 

 

whats your best bet on the list?

[SniphzR]

2 hours ago, Jayvee3492 said:

Thats what i was also thinking about the dragonfly. also,not looking for anything portable. maybe it being portable costs extra money. 

 

whats your best bet on the list?

On that idk, because I havent tried any of them.

[Dackzy]

4 hours ago, Jayvee3492 said:

Thank you for your reply. Fiio is available here in the philippines. also the audioquest dragonfly.

 

on this list. what do you think is best. except 3, 6, 7, https://www.technoven.com/best-usb-dac-under-200/

 

 

most of those DAC amp combos are cancer, the best there is prob the dragonfly and origin+, but those aren't even that good for the price.

Also, don't use HE 400i's on the go, they are open and you just end up fucking over your hearing if you do. The best out of 3, 6 and 7 is the origin+.

The best solution would be to get the schiit stack, but you can't really get schiit there so the origin+ is the next best thing.

[Jayvee3492]

On ‎7‎/‎1‎/‎2017 at 4:36 AM, Dackzy said:

most of those DAC amp combos are cancer, the best there is prob the dragonfly and origin+, but those aren't even that good for the price.

Also, don't use HE 400i's on the go, they are open and you just end up fucking over your hearing if you do. The best out of 3, 6 and 7 is the origin+.

The best solution would be to get the schiit stack, but you can't really get schiit there so the origin+ is the next best thing.

Sorry about the confusion. the 3, 6, and 7 are the ones not available here in the Philippines. and also 8.

 

I don't plan on using the he400i's on the go. I just plan on using it at home.

 

I was suggested ifi nano iDSD LE, and the dragonfly. looking for other options.

[Dackzy]

52 minutes ago, Jayvee3492 said:

Sorry about the confusion. the 3, 6, and 7 are the ones not available here in the Philippines. and also 8.

 

I don't plan on using the he400i's on the go. I just plan on using it at home.

 

I was suggested ifi nano iDSD LE, and the dragonfly. looking for other options.

ifi isn't good at all. So you can't get schiit and you can't get micca, I would actually recommend you to look used then, since the rest of the options in this budget isn't that good at all. Can you SMSL?

[Jayvee3492]

1 hour ago, Dackzy said:

ifi isn't good at all. So you can't get schiit and you can't get micca, I would actually recommend you to look used then, since the rest of the options in this budget isn't that good at all. Can you SMSL?

SMSL? Its hard to find 2nd hand schiit and micca here. I have a relative coming to the Philippines from US. whats your suggestion below 100 usd?

[Dackzy]

4 minutes ago, Jayvee3492 said:

SMSL? Its hard to find 2nd hand schiit and micca here. I have a relative coming to the Philippines from US. whats your suggestion below 100 usd?

for HE 400i's ehhh fulla 2? cheaper and you get into stuff like SMSL SD793-II and E10k, which aren't really that good at all, but they cost less than the fulla 2